Adjustable axle connector

Abstract

An adjustable axle-frame connector 10 for mounting an axle 40 to the frame 30 of a vehicle. The adjustable axle-frame connector 10 includes an axle mounting plate 12 , an axle hold down bracket 20 , and a U-bolt 24 a . The axle mounting plate 12 with a first end for positioning on one side of the vehicle frame 30 and a second end having a mounting slot 17 formed therein. The first end is configured to engage the frame 30 when the axle mounting plate 12 is positioned between the frame 30 and the axle 40 , the axle 40 extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the frame 30 . The second end has positioning tabs 18 that are configured to straddle the axle 40 when the axle mounting plate 12 is positioned between the frame 30 and the axle 40 . The axle hold down bracket 20 has a proximal end 21 and a distal end, the distal end including a locator flange 22 configured to engage the mounting slot 17 of the axle mounting plate 12 when the proximal end 21 is placed in abutment with the frame 30 of the vehicle. Lastly, the U-bolt 24 a urges the axle hold down bracket 20 against the frame 30 of the vehicle, thereby securing the axle 40 to the vehicle as well.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An adjustable connector for mounting an axle to a frame of a vehicle, the vehicle frame having an I-beam parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the I-beam having an upper flange and a lower flange connected by a vertical web, each of the flanges having an inner edge and an outer edge relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, comprising; 
       an axle mounting plate having a first end, a second end, a first plurality of apertures and a mounting slot formed therein, said first end having a holding flange configured to engage the outer edge of the lower flange of the vehicle frame when said axle mounting plate is positioned between the lower flange of the vehicle frame and the axle running transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, said second end having positioning tabs extending downwardly and configured to straddle the axle when said axle mounting plate is positioned between the lower flange of the vehicle frame and the axle;  
       an axle hold down bracket having a proximal end, a distal end, an arched body portion there between and a first plurality of apertures formed in said arched body portion, said distal end having a locator flange, said locator flange configured to engage said mounting slot formed in said axle mounting plate, said proximal end adapted to abut the web of the vehicle frame;  
       a U-bolt having two substantially parallel legs and a base leg extending therebetween, each of said substantially parallel legs having an end configured to receive a threaded fastener, said U-bolt being sized and shaped for straddling the axle with its legs extending upwardly through said first plurality of apertures formed in said axle mounting plate and through said first plurality of apertures formed in said axle hold down bracket, said first plurality of apertures formed in said axle hold down bracket configured to be in substantial alignment with said first plurality of apertures formed in said axle mounting plate when said locator flange engages said mounting slot and said proximal end is in abutment with the web portion of the vehicle frame;  
       whereby, as said ends of said U-bolt are engaged by said threaded fasteners, said arched body portion of said axle hold down bracket is urged toward said axle mounting plate and the axle, thereby urging said distal end of said axle hold down bracket along the longitudinal axis of the axle and said proximal end of said axle hold down bracket is held in abutment with the web of the vehicle frame, such that said axle mounting plate is similarly urged along the longitudinal axis of the axle, thereby causing said holding flange to securely engage the vehicle frame.  
     
     
       2. The adjustable connector of  claim 1 , further comprising; 
       a second plurality of apertures formed in said axle mounting plate, wherein said second plurality of apertures is disposed intermediate said mounting slot and said second end;  
       a second U-bolt, said second U-bolt having two substantially parallel legs and a base leg extending therebetween, each of said substantially parallel legs having an end configured to receive a threaded fastener, said second U-bolt being sized and shaped for straddling the axle with said parallel legs extending upwardly through said second plurality of apertures formed in said axle mounting plate;  
       whereby, as said ends of said second U-bolt are engaged by said threaded fasteners, the axle is secured to said axle mounting plate.  
     
     
       3. An adjustable connector for mounting an axle to a frame of a vehicle, comprising; 
       an axle mounting plate having a first end for positioning on a first side of the frame of the vehicle, a second end, a mounting slot formed therein for positioning on the second side of the frame, said first end configured to engage the frame when said axle mounting plate is positioned between the frame and the axle, the axle extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the frame, said second end having positioning tabs configured to straddle the axle when said axle mounting plate is positioned between the frame and the axle;  
       an axle hold down bracket having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end having a locator flange, said locator flange configured to engage said mounting slot of said axle mounting plate, said proximal end adapted to abut the frame of the vehicle; and  
       a securing means for urging said axle hold down bracket against the frame of the vehicle.  
     
     
       4. The adjustable connector of  claim 3 , wherein said securing means further secures the axle to the frame. 
     
     
       5. The adjustable connector of  claim 3 , said axle hold down bracket further comprising a positioning means disposed on said distal end and configured to engage a portion of said securing means such that said securing means remains in a position relative to the frame as said axle hold down bracket is urged against the frame of the vehicle. 
     
     
       6. The adjustable connector of  claim 5 , wherein said securing means simultaneously urges said axle hold down bracket against the frame and secures the axle to the frame. 
     
     
       7. The adjustable connector of  claim 6 , said securing means further comprising a U-bolt and a plate means, said plate means having apertures formed therein, said U-bolt having two substantially parallel legs and a base leg extending therebetween, each of said substantially parallel legs having an end configured to receive a threaded fastener, said U-bolt being sized and shaped for straddling the axle with said parallel legs extending downwardly such that said base leg engages said positioning means and said ends of said legs pass through said apertures formed in said plate means, said plate means being positioned under the axle such that as said ends of said U-bolt are engaged by said threaded fasteners, the axle is secured to the frame. 
     
     
       8. An adjustable connector for mounting an axle to a frame of a vehicle, such that the axle is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame, comprising; 
       an axle mounting plate having a first end, a second end, a first plurality of apertures and a mounting slot formed therein, said first end configured to engage the frame when said axle mounting plate is positioned between the frame and the axle, said second end having positioning tabs extending downwardly and configured to straddle the axle when said axle mounting plate is positioned between the frame and the axle;  
       an axle hold down bracket having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first plurality of apertures formed therein, said distal end having a locator flange, said locator flange configured to engage said mounting slot formed in said axle mounting plate, said proximal end adapted to abut the frame; and  
       a securing means for holding said axle mounting plate and said axle hold down bracket in position relative to each other.  
     
     
       9. The adjustable connector of  claim 8 , wherein said first end of said axle mounting plate is substantially hook shaped. 
     
     
       10. The adjustable connector of  claim 9 , said positioning tabs being substantially perpendicular to said axle mounting plate and spaced such that said positioning tabs are in close proximity to opposing sides of the axle when said axle mounting plate is positioned between the frame and the axle. 
     
     
       11. The adjustable connector of  claim 8 , said axle hold down bracket further comprising an arched body portion intermediate said proximal end and said distal end, said arched body portion configured to resist motion toward said axle mounting plate. 
     
     
       12. The adjustable connector of  claim 8 , said mounting slot formed in said axle mounting plate being substantially rectangular shaped. 
     
     
       13. The adjustable connector of  claim 8 , said securing means comprising a U-bolt, said U-bolt having two substantially parallel legs and a base leg extending therebetween, each of said substantially parallel legs having an end configured to receive a threaded fastener. 
     
     
       14. The adjustable connector of  claim 13 , said U-bolt being sized and shaped for straddling the axle with said parallel legs extending upwardly through said first plurality of apertures formed in said axle mounting plate and through said first plurality of apertures formed in said axle hold down bracket, such that as said threaded ends of said elongated members are engaged by fasteners, the axle is firmly secured to the frame. 
     
     
       15. The adjustable connector of  claim 13 , further comprising; 
       a second plurality of apertures formed in said axle mounting plate intermediate said mounting slot and said second end;  
       a second u-bolt having two substantially parallel legs and a base leg extending therebetween, each of said substantially parallel legs having an end configured to receive a threaded fastener; and  
       wherein said second U-bolt being sized and shaped for straddling the axle with said parallel legs extending upwardly through said second plurality of apertures formed in said axle mounting plate, such that as said threaded ends of said elongated legs are engaged by said threaded fasteners, the axle is firmly secured to the axle mounting plate.  
     
     
       16. The adjustable connector of  claim 8 , further comprising; 
       a second plurality of apertures formed in said axle mounting plate intermediate said mounting slot and said second end;  
       a U-bolt having two substantially parallel legs and a base leg extending therebetween, each of said substantially parallel legs having an end configured to receive a threaded fastener;  
       said securing means comprising a first and second bolt, said first and second bolts having a first and a second end, said first end configured to receive a threaded fastener, and said second end having a head configured such that said head will not pass through an aperture of said first plurality of apertures; and  
       wherein said U-bolt is sized and shaped for straddling the axle with its legs extending upwardly through said second plurality of apertures formed in said axle mounting plate, such that as said threaded ends of said elongated legs are engaged by said threaded fasteners, the axle is firmly secured to the axle mounting plate, and said first ends of said first and second bolts extend upwardly through different of said first plurality of apertures formed in said axle mounting plate and through said first plurality of apertures formed in said axle hold down bracket, such that as said threaded ends of said first and second bolts are engaged by said threaded fasteners, the axle mounting plate is firmly secured to the frame.  
     
     
       17. The adjustable connector of  claim 8 , wherein said axle hold down bracket further comprises spring steel. 
     
     
       18. The adjustable connector of  claim 8 , wherein the frame is an I-beam. 
     
     
       19. The adjustable connector of  claim 8 , wherein the axle is a torsion axle. 
     
     
       20. An adjustable connector for mounting an axle to a frame of a vehicle, such that the axle is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame, comprising: 
       an axle mounting plate having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate body portion between said first and second ends, said first end configured to connect to a frame of a vehicle when said axle mounting plate is positioned between the frame and the axle with said intermediate body portion extending between the frame and the axle and the second end extending beyond the frame and defining a mounting slot;  
       an axle hold down bracket having a proximal end, a distal end, said distal end having a locator flange configured to engage said mounting slot formed in said second end of said axle mounting plate, said proximal end adapted to abut the frame of the vehicle; and  
       a securing means for extending about the axle of the vehicle and engaging said hold down bracket and holding said axle mounting plate and said axle hold down bracket in position relative to each other.  
     
     
       21. A method for securing an axle to a frame, comprising the steps of: 
       providing an axle mounting plate having a first end, a second end, and a first plurality of apertures and a mounting slot formed therein, said first end configured to engage a frame, said second end having positioning tabs configured to lie on opposing sides of the axle when said axle mounting plate is positioned between the frame and the axle;  
       providing an axle hold down bracket having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first plurality of apertures formed therein, said distal end having a locator flange, said locator flange configured to engage said mounting slot disposed in said axle mounting plate, said proximal end adapted to abut a portion of the frame;  
       providing a securing means for maintaining the axle, said axle mounting plate, and said axle hold down bracket in position relative to the frame;  
       engaging the frame with said first end of said axle hold down plate;  
       positioning the axle between said positioning tabs such that said axle mounting plate abuts both the frame and the axle;  
       inserting said distal end of said axle hold down bracket in said mounting slot;  
       placing said proximal end of said axle hold down bracket in abutment with the frame such that a portion of the frame is located between said first end of said axle mounting plate and said proximal end of said axle hold down bracket;  
       inserting said securing means through said first pluralities of apertures in said axle mounting plate and said axle hold down bracket; and  
       engaging said securing means such that the axle, said axle mounting plate, and said axle hold down bracket are secured to the frame.